Resources
These are links to local places that offer free or cheap entertainment or services, like libraries, community centers, community pools, and places to shop for bargains. The links are divided into sections by type of place. Remember that all of these places are in the Phoenix area of Arizona, especially the East Valley!
Public Libraries
Public libraries are not only good sources of free entertainment in the form of books, movies, and music that can be borrowed, but also free events, classes, and clubs to join. The classes and public services available through libraries are helpful as well as entertaining. Also, there are many programs for children as well as adults.
| Name | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Chandler Library | Chandler has multiple branch libraries and sometimes hosts free or cheap events. | Multiple branches, see website for locations |
| Mesa Library | Mesa has multiple branch libraries and sometimes hosts free or cheap events. | Multiple branches, see website for locations |
| Phoenix Library | Phoenix has multiple branch libraries and sometimes hosts free or cheap events. | Multiple branches, see website for locations |
| Scottsdale Library | Scottsdale has multiple branch libraries and sometimes hosts free or cheap events. | Multiple branches, see website for locations |
| Tempe Library | Tempe has only one main library location. It sometimes hosts free or cheap events. |
3500 S. Rural Rd. Tempe AZ, 85282 |
Community Centers
Community Centers often host free or cheap events, classes, and clubs to join. Also, there are many programs for children as well as adults. Types of classes and programs available will vary over time, so be sure to check current listings!
Note: Some of the programs may seem rather expensive at first, but when you consider how many classes are offered under the the program, they come out to being $10 or less per class, still making them fairly cheap in the long run.
| Name | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Chandler Community Center | The Chandler Community Center offers programs and classes for both adults and children. It also rents spaces for meetings or special events. |
125 E. Commonwealth Ave. Chandler AZ, 85244 |
| Mesa Recreation Centers | Mesa has multiple recreation centers which specialize in different types of activities for adults and children. | Multiple branches, see website for locations |
| Phoenix Recreation Centers | Some facilities are free to use, but others charge a small fee for using their amenities, such as gymnasiums and game rooms. The typical price is $2 for adults and $1 for children. It's possible to purchase annual passes that save money on frequent visits. Non-residents of Phoenix can purchase these passes as well, but at a higher price than the one for residents. | Multiple branches, see website for locations |
| Scottsdale Parks and Recreation | You can find a complete listing of classes and activities for Scottsdale here. | Multiple branches, see website for locations |
| Tempe Community and Recreation Centers | You can find a complete listing of classes and activities for Tempe here. | Multiple branches, see website for locations |
Public Pools
Public pools can be a great (and cheap) way to cool off during long Arizona summers! You can use these pools even if you're not a resident of the city where they are located, but prices may be higher for non-residents, and usually only residents can purchase season passes. Even non-resident rates are pretty cheap, though. Public pools are only open seasonally, typically starting around Memorial Day in May and continuing until August or September, depending on location.
| Name | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Chandler Aquatics Centers | Admission prices can vary depending on location. Typical rates are $2.25 for adults ages 18 to 54, $1.25 for seniors ages 55 and up, and $1 for children ages 2 to 17. Folley Pool has cheaper rates than the other locations. Season passes are available. | Multiple locations, see website |
| Mesa Pools | Admission to Mesa's public pools per visit is $4 for adults ages 18 and over and $2 for children ages 17 and younger. However, it's possible to purchase season passes which would save money on frequent visits. | Multiple locations, see website |
| Phoenix Aquatics | Admission to Phoenix's public pools can vary by location. The typical price per visit is $3 for adults and $1 for seniors. At some locations, children can get in free, but other locations charge $1 for children. It's also possible to purchase season passes which would save money on frequent visits. | Multiple locations, see website |
| Scottsdale Aquatics | Admission to Scottsdale's public pools depends on whether you're a resident of Scottsdale or not. For residents, the price per visit is $3 for adults and $2 for children. For non-residents, the price per visit is $5 for adults and $3 for children. It's also possible to purchase season passes which are offered at different rates for residents and non-residents. | Multiple locations, see website |
| Tempe Pools | Admission to Tempe's public pools varies by location. The Kiwanis Wave Pool is the most expensive. As the name suggests, this pool features swimming sessions in a pool that can produce waves of up to 3 feet high. Prices during the wave sessions are $7 for everyone age 13 and older and $5 for children ages 2 to 12. Prices for regular open swimming and lap swimming are lower. Because the Kiwanis Wave Pool is indoors, it has a longer season than the other pools. At other Tempe pools, the typical price per visit is $1.25 for adults ages 18 and up and $0.75 for children ages 6 to 17. Children five years old and younger are free. It's also possible to purchase season passes. | Multiple locations, see website |
Places to Shop
There are many places where you can shop for just about anything all over the valley, but these are places where you can go to buy things for cheap entertainment or special bargains.
| Name | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Bookman's | Bookman's has locations in Mesa and Phoenix as well as in Tucson, where it started. Bookman's is a used bookstore, but it carries a lot more than just books. You can also buy used movies, toys, knickknacks, musical instruments, and video and board games. If you bring books or other items to trade in, you might also get some store credit that you can use in making your purchase. | Multiple locations, see website |
| Changing Hands | Changing Hands sells both new and used books. They also host a number of free and cheap events, such as book clubs and lectures. | Multiple locations, see website |
| Goodwill | Goodwill thrift stores carry all kind of used items, and you can never be sure exactly what you'll find when you go. That's part of the fun! Every other Saturday, they have a special sale where almost everything in the store (except a few special items) is 50% off. There are other specials on different days, but Half-Off Saturdays are the best. If you're learning to sew, check out their selection of materials (usually located near sheets and blankets) for cheap material to experiment with. All Goodwill stores have a section for books, and the Goodwill that is next to Bookman's in Mesa gets an interesting array of books because people whose books aren't accepted as trade-ins at Bookman's often donate them at the Goodwill instead of taking them home. | Multiple locations, see website |